Canal-boat pbopeller



*i mi TED sTATEs PATENT' orrion.

GEORGE IV. SW'AR'IZ, 011 BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

CANAL-BOAT PROPELLER.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 19,656, dated March 16, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. SWARTZ, of Buffalo, in the county of Erie, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Propeller Canal-Boats; andv I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, vreference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention relates to propelling canal boats by steam power, the particular features of which as represented in this specification are, 1st, the combination of a guard with a recess or conduit in the stern of the boat for the purpose of protecting the propeller and obtaining for it the most advantageous location to accomplish the purposes required; 2d, in the arrange.- ment of braces within the guard for the purpose of forming a support and bearing for the propeller shaft, and giving strength to the guard; 3d, an improvement in the form of the recess or conduit,.in which the propeller is placed.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the construction and operation thereof.

In a former patent granted to me by the Government of the United States on the 16th day of June 1857, for certain improvements in propeller canal boats, I represented a recess made in the stern of a boat for the reception of the propeller. I also represented an adjustable guard which afforded protection to the propeller, and by which the propeller could be raised and lowered as circumstances might require. In presenting the present application I dispense with the' adjustable feature of the guard, and describe it as a stationary fixture for the purpose intended. I have also modified and improved the form of the recess in that part thereof, which is forward of the guard by commencing it on the surface, as shown at N, and gradually widening and changing from a level to a concave, and continuing concave and expanding until its termination as represented in the drawings. I also in this specification dispense with the iron stern section described in my said patent and form the recess by wood planking as herein described.

Figure I is a bottom plan of the boats stern section showing the form of the recess (or chute) and the manner of planking the same and the location and combination of the guard therewith. f Fig. II isa side velevation of the same. Fig. III is an inside plan of the same. Fig. IV is an end elevation showing the location of the propeller, and the braces which strengthen the guard and support the propeller shaft.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of thevfigures. 'A

In constructing propeller canal boats three important purposes are to be secured. lst. The propeller should be located as far astern as possible and yet not project beyond the stern or sides of the boat. 2d. The propeller should be so fully guarded that it cannot strike the banks nor come in contact withother boats or obstructions of any kind. 3d. In protecting the propeller from outward obstructions, the devices therefor must be so constructed and arranged as not to shut off the water from it, or in other words the propeller must be allowed the greatest possible hold, on the water. To accomplish these several purposes, I have made a recess in the stern of the boat, sufhcient to receive the propeller, and have given this recess a peculiar form as best adapted in its general feature to the purpose required. I have also located the propeller as far astern asl possible, (without allowing it to project beyond the stern) and have also thrown around it a guard so as to protect it from outward obstructions. I have also connected with the guard certain braces, for strengthening the guard and supporting the propeller shaft.

A represents an iron guard which is made fast (by strong bolts or otherwise) to the boat both above and below the recess. It swells or rounds out to the outline of the boat so as to encompass the propeller. It should be made about 12 inches broad (more or less) so as to aHord ample protection to the propeller, and yet not broad enough to shut off the water. If it should be preferred it can be madeabout six inches in width, and two or more of them used, leaving a space between them. This arrangement will protect the propeller, and yet give the water free access to it. This guard will be liable to come in contact with the banks of the canal, with other boats, &c. and hence should be made very strong, and well secured to the boat; B, parallel bars of iron (or braces) made fast to the boat, near the commencement of the recess, and lapping on to, and fastened to the main guard A; C, propeller shaft; D, D, &c., recess (or chute) or the planking thereof and Which also show its form and relative position.

E, E, show the line of the chute on the bottom of the boat; F, planking on the bottom of the boat; G, (Fig. III,) block on the inside, to support the propeller shaft; H, ribs, to which the planking forming the recess or chute are fastened; L, flooring; I, (Fig. IV) braces, Which strengthen the main guard A, and support the propeller shaft. These braces are made fast to the boat Within the recess, and connect With the guard, A, crossing each other at right angles in the center; J, box, Within the braces, to hold the journal boX; K, journal box.

A corresponding propeller guard and recess is to be made and used on the opposite side of the stern, so that in all cases there 20 and substantially as herein set forth.

2. I claim the braces I, for the purpose of strengthening the guard and supporting the propeller shaft substantially as herein described.

GEORGE W. SWARTZ. Witnesses:

W. M. RICE, IV. I-I. FoRBUsH. 

